Dragon’s Dogma 2 director Hideaki Itsuno has defended his game’s divisive design choices in a new interview. He revealed that the action RPG was never meant to have universal appeal.
“I didn’t make a Nintendo game designed to be liked by everyone,” Itsuno stated when reflecting on the game’s reception since its March launch. The Capcom director explained that it’s normal for people outside the target audience not to enjoy Dragon’s Dogma 2. But he emphasized that players who connected with the game “really loved it” and appreciated its unique details.
Itsuno expressed pride in the finished product despite mixed reactions from some players. His comments shed light on the deliberate design philosophy behind Dragon’s Dogma 2‘s more controversial features.
The sequel launched with several bold design choices that split the community. Players can only maintain one save file at a time. Fast travel requires rare items called Ferrystones and manually placed Portcrystals. The game encourages exploration on foot through its vast open world. These decisions align with Itsuno’s vision of creating a specific experience rather than chasing mass appeal.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 performed well commercially despite the debates. Capcom reported 3.5 million copies sold shortly after launch, reaching three million in the following months. The game received generally positive reviews from critics who praised its physics-based combat and improved pawn AI system. Players can recruit these AI companions to form adventuring parties, with new vocations like Mystic Spearhand and Trickster adding fresh tactical options.
Performance issues plagued the launch, particularly in densely populated areas where CPU limitations caused frame drops. Capcom released multiple patches addressing stability concerns and adding quality-of-life improvements. The presence of optional microtransactions for travel and character customization items also drew criticism, though none were required to complete the game.
Many fans compare Dragon’s Dogma 2 unfavorably to the expanded Dark Arisen edition of the original game. The 2013 expansion added the challenging Bitterblack Isle dungeon and extensive endgame content that became series hallmarks. Some players feel the sequel lacks equivalent post-game depth despite its technical improvements and refined mechanics.
